JANUARY 02: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on in the third quarter against the Miami Dolphins on January 2, 2011 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Listening to the New York Jets coaches and players, you’d almost forget the New England Patriots waxed the Jets 45-3 Dec. 6.

Responding to the New York Daily News about a Tom Brady question, Antonio Cromartie took an unexpected left turn and called Brady something that related to the bottom side of a donkey. Cromartie also added that he “hated” Tom Brady.”

No one should debate that trash talk is a necessary evil in sports. The point is to intimidate opponents while simultaneously pumping up yourself.

But trash talking through the media is a tricky game. Obviously, the Jets need to get motivated and avenge an embarrassing loss, but are they also writing Bill Belichick’s motivation pamphlet this week?

“Bill Belichick will take this personal and he’ll make his players see this personal,” said NFL analyst Bill Cowher during a CBS conference call Tuesday. Cowher was referring to earlier Rex Ryan comments about Tom Brady. “And I think I wouldn’t wake a sleeping giant. I think he may have done that. What it’s going to take to beat them? I don’t know. A couple of those guys could maybe get in a snow storm and not show up to the game would be the only thing.”

CBS analyst Dan Dierdorf added this in response to Rex Ryan comments.

“I don’t really believe Rex is saying that to take the pressure off his players. I believe Rex is saying that because he really believes it. And Rex needs to figure out that coaches don’t block tackles, catch or anything else. It just bothered me – and I like Rex a lot – but it really just bothered me a little bit when he said “I finally beat Peyton Manning.” First of all, the Jets beat the Colts. It wasn’t Rex Ryan beating Peyton Manning. And now when he says it’s myself against Bill Belichick…no, it’s about the players and it’s always going to be about the players. Rex needs a reality check in my estimation.”

As we’ve seen with the Seattle Seahawks, anything can happen in the NFL at this point. A New England upset isn’t completely out of the question.

But are the New York Jets making it harder for themselves with all this “trash talk?”